Utilizing a Deep Eutectic Solvent in carotene extraction technology with Palm Methyl Ester oil to advance green technology

In this research aims to develop and evaluate the use of Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) in carotene extraction technology with Palm Methyl Ester (PME) as a green solvent to support the development of environmentally friendly technology. The carotenoids existing in palm biodiesel will be separated via a liquid-liquid extraction technique that employs methanol as the solvent along with deep eutectic solvent (DES) serving as a co-solvent. The DES utilized comprises betaine serving as a hydrogen bond donor (HBD) in conjunction with citric acid and glycerol acting as hydrogen bond acceptors (HBA), reacting in a molar ratio of 1:1 to 1:6. The produced deep eutectic solvent (DES) is characterized via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for the purpose of identifying the functional groups created, while Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H 1 NMR) is employed to delineate the structural configuration of the components formed within the DES. After the DES solution is prepared, its key physical properties, including pH, density and viscosity, will be measured and analyzed. The total carotenoids extracted are examined utilizing UV–Visible Spectrophotometry and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to identify the concentration of the beta-carotene component acquired. The optimal extraction condition for total carotenoids is established at 2500 ppm utilizing DES betaine: acetic acid with an Ester: DES ratio of 1:2, whereas the total carotenoid concentration obtained with DES betaine: glycerol at an Ester: DES ratio of 1:4 is 2287 ppm. The beta-carotene concentration attained with DES Betaine: acetic acid is quantified at 33.63 IU/g, whereas with DES betaine: glycerol, it is recorded at 22.58 IU/g.